Chapter 1882 - 1880: The Two Missing People
Chapter 1882: Chapter 1880: The Two Missing People
"Today we are gathering for a meal. Firstly, because everyone has been working hard lately and we need to relax together. Secondly, we are preparing for a student union event across various universities, isn’t it almost National Day?"
Qin Xuan spoke, "I heard about this, Xiao Yu. Since you’ve joined the student union, if your school also plans to hold such an event, you must treat it seriously and carefully, without any negligence, understand?"
Qin Xiaoyu was somewhat displeased. Her father was using a child-like tone to speak with her, whereas she was already a leader in the student union at school; many students and members below her had to regularly report work to her.
But in Qin Xuan and Shen Manru’s eyes, she was still a child.
No sense of achievement at all.
Even if she was unhappy, she didn’t dare to show it and could only mumble, "Of course I know that. Who would dare to be careless with such an event? We aren’t little kids."
Qin Yize shot Qin Xiaoyu a glance, "Even if you understand everything, Dad’s advice isn’t wrong. What if someone exploits your event as an opportunity? You guys are the main force of major universities..."
"Big brother, we’re just students. It’s not as serious as you say," Qin Xiaoyu retorted, unyielding.
Now that she’s grown up, she no longer blindly listens to her older brother like when she was little. She has her own thoughts and opinions, yet they still treat her like a child. She didn’t understand what was going through their minds.
Gu Qiaoqiao quickly chuckled, trying to diffuse the tension, "Alright, alright. Organizing such an event is not just up to Xiao Yu; it’s a result of everyone’s collaborative effort. Nonetheless, Xiao Yu, Dad and big brother do have a point. It’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected in whatever you do."
Qin Xiaoyu’s mind was still quite sharp.
Hearing her sister-in-law coming to her defense, she quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes. Although I’m part of the student union, I’m still new to the role, and many things aren’t up to me to decide. I just handle some coordination."
Then she looked towards Qin Xuan and Qin Yize, assuring them, "Don’t worry. Even though we are organizing an event here, not just anyone can participate. There will definitely be screening and evaluation."
Although Shen Manru really wanted to persuade her daughter not to participate in these activities and not to join the student union, she, as a university professor, deeply understood that her daughter’s role in the student union, even if only a vice role until graduation, would hugely benefit her future.
Moreover, if her daughter does well and transitions to the main role, even for just a year, her credentials would be very impressive.
Some things, although clearly understood in the mind, always lead to hesitation when it comes to her own daughter. Perhaps it’s the same for every mother’s heart in the world.
At this time, Elder Sima was anxiously pacing at the crossroad by the Qin Family Old Residence. Looking at the lit house of the Qin Family Old Residence, he gritted his teeth, sighed deeply, and eventually turned around to leave.
He originally came to find Gu Junbai, but unfortunately, just as he reached Qiaoze Ranch, Gu Junbai had already left, and neither Gu Junbai nor Ling Nan could be contacted after their departure.
He headed straight to the Qin Family’s Courtyard in the Imperial Capital and only then found out that the family of four had gone to the Old Residence.
He didn’t have a mobile phone, nor was he accustomed to using one. Only now did he realize that a mobile phone might have been very convenient, avoiding repeated futile trips.
He arrived at the Qin Family Old Residence, hesitated for a moment, but still decided not to enter. Some things must be left to fate, and even if he were to inform Gu Qiaoqiao now, the child wouldn’t be able to hastily rush off without proper preparation, and some things do require some planning. The most important thing was that he wasn’t sure if Gu Qiaoqiao could help him.
Elder Sima, indecisive, tossed and turned that night, while Gu Qiaoqiao remained completely unaware since Elder Sima had concealed his aura.
She played games with her two kids, then washed up and went to bed early.
On the following morning, Elder Sima did not deliberately hide his presence, so Gu Qiaoqiao naturally discovered him. She quickly invited Elder Sima, who was standing at the entrance of the Qin Family Old Residence, to come in.
It was Elder Sima’s first time visiting the Qin Family Old Residence. After a brief chat, Gu Qiaoqiao led him to the study.
This study belonged to Qin Yize. Later, much of his belongings were moved to the Qin Family’s Courtyard, with some in his office at work. The old residence kept the books he enjoyed most in his younger years, but it was always well cleaned and organized, exuding a faint scholarly aroma.
Once in the study, Elder Sima got straight to the point, asking, "Qiaoqiao, when was the last time Xiao Wen contacted you?"
Gu Qiaoqiao was taken aback, instinctively sensing something was amiss, and promptly recalled, "It should have been a week ago. Elder Sima, what on earth is going on? Didn’t Sister Xiao Wen return to the Divine Land?"
Elder Sima’s face seemed slightly troubled, causing Gu Qiaoqiao to become anxious, "Elder Sima, what’s happening?"
Elder Sima sighed deeply and said to Gu Qiaoqiao, "By the timeline, the call Xiao Wen made to you was her last one before she went missing. Alongside her, Chu Chengfeng also disappeared. They have been unreachable for about a week now."
"What do you mean by unreachable? Where did the two of them go?" Gu Qiaoqiao asked urgently.
Half a month ago, Chu Chengfeng and Sima Xiaowen returned to the Divine Land because they had a sacrificial event held during the summer.
Last time they went back was roughly half a year ago. This time, they had many things to manage there; initially, either one of them could handle it, but for some reason, Chu Chengfeng managed to take Sima Xiaowen along.
However, even without Chu Chengfeng and Sima Xiaowen, the beef noodle shop was running smoothly, as others did a great job. Plus, with Gu Qiaoqiao overseeing, she frequently checked in, so there were essentially no issues.
Unexpectedly, the problem arose on Sima Xiaowen and Chu Chengfeng’s side.
"Elder Sima, have you searched everywhere around the Divine Land?"
"Yes, we’ve searched everywhere, and there’s nothing."
"And what about Chu Chengfeng? When was the last time he contacted anyone? Do you know this information?"
"I still don’t know. I went to the ranch in the Imperial Capital first but didn’t find your Uncle."
"Uncle went to Gluttonous Sea Island. They say it’s quite far, and I also can’t contact him right now; he left this morning."
Uncle, like Elder Sima, had considerable skills but was not accustomed to new-age devices, so he didn’t have any mobile phone, always feeling it was cumbersome and unsightly.
Gluttonous Sea Island?
Elder Sima furrowed his brows. He didn’t even know this place, implying it must be a location not even visible on maps. If it was an ordinary place, it certainly wouldn’t warrant a trip from Gu Junbai.